Yesterday I flew from Madison Wisconsin to LAX through Cleveland.

When I got to Cleveland, went to the PC to see about upgrade status. The guy says, hmm, you aren't on the list, that's weird (I'm gold), then types a few things, and asks, "did you try to upgrade with miles?" Yes, I had asked about it when booking the ticket, but they said there were none available.

So he says, that's what's blocking you from the list. He puts me on the list. I didn't get upgraded, but neither did a very grumpy plat who sat right in front of me either, so it didn't really matter.

Has anyone ever heard of this? How do you prevent it?

Very interesting question, and one I wish I had the answer to. In our experience, waitlisting for mileage upgrades almost guarantees a seat in the back; could be because the flights we waitlist on are usually busy, and thus the need for the waitlist. Could just be bad choice of flights. I have noticed that when Mr Fish (Plat) was on an upgrade waitlist (which doesn't exist anymore?), he was always passed over by EUA when it does run (even at the 3 hour mark) and his only chance is gate upgrade. I always assumed that it was other plats in line ahead of him, but who knows... If what the agent told you is true, I am surprised she told you in the first place. Of course, it could be another excuse pulled from the Official OP Book of Excuses, and be untrue. I am curious if anyone else has had experience with this happening...

Robin

If I'm planning to use miles to upgrade (either for my hubby or to help ensure a tough upgrade), I'll ask to be put on the upgrade list at time of ticket purchase.
Example #1: Last Dec I was buying 2 cheapo tickets for Sept '04 EWR-LAS where I was using miles to upgrade. No upgrade seats were available, so I asked for both of us to be waitlisted (I'm Plat, hubby 0). My assumption was that perhaps sometime in mid/late Aug it would come through. In early Feb, I received a call advising me that my upgrades were set.
Example #2: For travel over Thanksgiving, a month ago, I bought 2 tkts EWR-MSY, again discounted. Problem was upgrades were available at time of purchase only for the outbound. I asked to be waitlisted for the 'popular Sun after Thanksgiving' upgrade, and what do you know... last Thurs I got a call saying that cleared.
Now generally I don't buy upgrades, being a very lucky Plat with great EUA success--but when it's important to make sure I'm upfront, always ask to be put on the waitlist immediately when buying your tickets.

i use miles to upgrade a lot. of course, seats are never available. i always go on the waitlist, and it hasnt cleared only once. waitlists are deleted at the 72 hour mark, so if you're on a waitlist youll get the up beofre plats and gold, should seats be available. if you dont get it, its b/c there are no up seats available (f or r). at the 72 hour mark it erases. if seats should open up that night, or anytime between then and flight time, elites will get them. i argued this with CO the time i didnt clear, b/c i think its stupid that an elite who wants to use miles gets passed up for an elite who isnt using miles.

i guess it somewhat protects the integrity of the elite upgrade program.

if you are on a waitlist and get denied at the 72 hour mark you can call anytime between then and flight time to request a mileage up. the minute the seats open up, you can snag them before the EUA kicks in. its not a failsafe though. most CO flights dont release seats until the 3 hour mark. by that time, im rushing like a freak to get ready for the flight, so calling and trying to up in not happening.